peaceful days

I've been spending a lot of time outside with the kids, hiking with friends, and just enjoying the weather.

But, in spite of the extra exercise and fresh air, I've felt very drained. I LOVE watching them, but my energy isn't allowing me to keep up right now. My Oldest and Littlest. Love it!!

I'm in a creative slump; seems school and daily life are using up every ounce of my strength. Yes, that could be a good thing, to know I've given the day my all, and I'm going to bed exhausted. On the other hand, I'm not used to this. I remember days, in the not so distant past, when I could get up early (often after a long night) and do school, art, PE, housecleaning...and still get my craft on at night.

What happened?

He's not often this still!

Love these toddler feet, standing in the mini waterfall.

Maybe the slow change in weather? Although you'd think that would HELP my energy level. Maybe eating habits? I have been eating way more carbs lately, thanks to a certain sweet old man!

Maybe too much housecleaning?? heh heh

I have been going through tons of things, had a massive yard sale, and rearranged two rooms... plus painted two in the last couple of months. I need to de-stress about the house again, and focus on the creative groove. Really, when my artsy-ness is off, it throws me off completely.

I need the BaBoom back!

Right now I'm just kinda drifting; thinking, sorting, planning, praying, observing.

My Craft Night with friends is this weekend, and that should help oodles and oodles. I need artsy people in my life, desperately. Thank you, God, for like-minded passionate people!

Sewing Machine Day

Yes, it is actually Sewing Machine Day!
The sewing machine was patented in the United States on September 10, 1846 by Elias Howe.

It was fun to read about, and will be more fun to celebrate this evening! Sewing machines are declining in popularity now (boo!), but I'm determined to use mine regularly, and teach my kids how to sew their clothes and some decor, crafts, etc.

Today is also my Dad's birthday!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

He's been traveling a lot lately, and will be leaving again next week, for Europe, so I'm hoping to get a mini celebration in this weekend.
Dad and me,

posing with the kids on Pier 19,

at South Padre in July.

Labor Day 2010

We truly had big things to celebrate this Labor Day. My sweet Man got a new job last week. Hallelujah!! And, after working for two days, he had a 4-day holiday weekend. What a nice way to get started!

This year we truly wanted to get away, from housework, anxieties, responsibilities...good and bad things that draw our attention away from spending time together. We already spend a LOT of time together, walking, reading, and playing games. But the day trips really build memories, and give us sufficient time to talk to each of the kids at length.

Must note-- while we were packing up for our day trip, my folks were participating in the annual Run for a Child 10K. Way to go, guys!! My parents are such an inspiration!

We set off this morning, not quite as bright and early as we had hoped, for the Boston Mountains of the Ozark... heading straight for Artist Point. Had to make a quick stop at my sister's house first, to borrow shoes for The Artist Child. Apparently her feet have had a major growth spurt and now she has NO shoes that will fit her well. Yeah, she jumped to a women's size 8 overnight!!

Annnyway, we got a late start, and it took us about an hour to get to our destination, with GPS help.

Artist Point Gift Shop/ Museum/ Look Out, near the trail head.

I love hummingbirds!

This huge cockatoo totally ran the joint, and squawked at us every time we moved.

Ready to start the journey

The trail winded down, down, down... in places very overgrown, hard to stay on course. There were two downed trees in our path, and the footing became very steep in several spots. It was certainly the most challenging hike that we've brought the kids along for.

butterfly and moth catching

spending time with froggie friends

observing a big basking lizard, before it freaked out and hid under a rock

Now, this was something new for me--flying bugs (I'll have to look it up and get back to you) with conjoined tails!
They flew off, together of course, and landed on this branch. So odd!!

Nearly 13 years of marriage, 4 kids, and still enjoying every day that we get to spend in the woods together.

Rest/ Snack/Water Break

Over the hills and through the woods...
snake skins...

This is my kind-of Nature Notebooking. Find it, photograph it, sketch it, look it up, and learn about it!
Last leg of the journey upwards... only 302 steps to go. I know.

LittleLad was exhausted by then, and I ended up carrying him most of those last few hundred steps, counting each time I lifted my foot. I've done the Hundred Stairs workout before, but never with a kid on my back! And this was after 4 hours of hiking. Phew. Talk about tough.

Can't. Walk. Another. Step. So. Exhausted.

poooooooor Dash! He started dramatically flopping back and forth with each step, towards the end. ;-) My child, the actor.

YAY!!! They made it!

(Look at those red cheeks!)

I hope this view gives you an appreciation for the distance ALL the way down...

and all the way back UP again.

driving -through- the Ozarks
This was a Labor Day we aren't likely to forget anytime soon!
What did you do?

Hope yours was just as memorable!

balloon bean balls

I have awesome friends who send me tons of links and ideas for sewing projects, lapbooks, and misc child crafts. Love you, guys, and keep 'em coming!
There's a special folder in my inbox just for the kid crafts links, and I've been scrolling back through them, for fall weekend fun activities.
These balloon bean balls made it to the top of the list when I realized they could also be used quite easily for bowling balls and stress balls! And, for the ultimate cheap game, let the kids raid the recycle bins.

The idea was found at Homemade Mamas. If I remember correctly, I can thank DM for sending it. :-)

Homemade Mama's Instructions

What you need:

•3 balloons (about 11")
•about 3/4 cup of small dried beans (we used back beans)
First, blow up your balloons, then let the air out. This stretches them out so that it's easier to fill them. Then take your first balloon (any color, since this one won't be seen once the ball is finished) and attach it to the small end of a funnel. Then slowly start adding your beans, working them down the neck of the balloon as you go. We found that as the balloon became more and more full it was harder to add more beans because they got stuck in the neck of the balloon. If this happens, just take the balloon off the funnel carefully and blow it up a little. The beans will fall to the bottom of the balloon and you can put the balloon back on the funnel and continue filling.

Once your balloon is full of beans, snip the ribbed part of the neck. Then snip the necks in the same way off the other two. Take your second balloon and stretch it over the first one, covering the first one's neck. Repeat with the third balloon, snipping more off it's neck as needed so that you can see the color of the second balloon underneath.

Studying creatures, the CM way

I've mentioned several times before, that we love the Charlotte Mason method, and try to incorporate it with every subject. The vast majority of our read-alouds are biographies, historical fiction, and other "living books."

For science study, we do go through a regular text, as well as using reference books like The Handbook of Nature Study...but I feel free to veer off at any time, based on what we discover. With fall fast approaching, we're spending more and more time outside, and finding new creatures every day. Why spend the day studying about evaporation, when we have a butterfly to look up and learn about? Sometimes LIFE, not the book, dictates the lessons.

This is a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta). Beautiful, right? The kids held the butterfly, watched it, read about it, drew pictures of it.

Red Admirals are considered to be people-friendly butterflies that will approach and perch on human beings. (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) Well, that's the truth! This beauty came right over and picked Ethan out of the crowd.

Also, they prefer sap on trees, fermenting fruit, and bird droppings; visiting flowers only when these are not available. (Moths and Butterflies of North America)

I have to say, again, that I love homeschooling. I LOVE having my kids with me every day. I love watching them learn and discover, pursue their interests, and take extra time on something that really excites them.

(Remind me that I said all this, when we're trapped in the house together during the frigid months this winter.)

beauty in my backyard

My cildren caused a spill near te keyboard today, and Ive lost te use of several letters, arrows, and punctuation.
Sooooo, its time for pictures.

September 1st, and fall is just around te corner. Te days are becomin just incredible.
Tese were taken yesterday, wile watcin te kids play in te backyard. Im surrounded by beauty.